Uses of SuperConductors

·       Devices using electricity would become more efficient and less power consuming.

·       Transporting electricity from one place to another will be easier.

·       Large superconductor cables linking Europe and North Africa have been proposed.

·       Ultra-high-speed trains that float on magnetic tracks. This is possible because the superconductors have the property of repelling the magnetic fields so the magnet will float above the super conductor, thereby eliminating the friction between the track and the train. However, there are health and safety concerns about the strong magnetic fields used.

·       Particle accelerators-Superconductors are used to make extremely powerful electromagnets to accelerate the charged particles almost close to the speed of light.

·       Superconducting Quantum Interference devices (SQUIDS) are used to detect magnetic fields, even the weakest is detected. These are used in mine detecting equipment.

Scientific Research that does not have a commercial aim are called blue skies research. The discovery of superconductivity was made about 100 years ago but the applications have been available only in the past decade or so.

These innovations are really expensive if a superconductor in room temperature is not found or achieving new to use very cold temperatures in the atmosphere.